Personal Finance

Towards a Healthier Financial Future

Topic: "Investments"

← Curating the web to find the most interesting and helpful information about your money.

Investing

Ways to supercharge your CD investments

CDs offer a guaranteed interest rate that’s typically higher than a savings account, and you get the safety of FDIC insurance to ensure your money will be there when you need it. They’re not right for every situation, but they can be an effective way to save for short-term goals or create a predictable stream of income.

How to find the best CDs to invest in →

Infographic of the week

Visualizing 30 Years of Investor Sentiment

The link between investor sentiment and the stock market is not linear. In fact, many consider extreme sentiment readings as a contrarian indicator. If sentiment swings sharply in one direction, some investors may consider this a signal to do the reverse.

Visualizing 30 Years of Investor Sentiment Investor sentiment and U.S. stock prices over modern history →

Investing

How to Invest in ETFs for Beginners

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are an easy way to begin investing. ETFs are fairly simple to understand and can generate impressive returns without much expense or effort.

Here’s what you should know about ETFs and how they work →

Infographic of the week

The 20 Most Common Investing Mistakes, in One Chart

No one is immune to errors, including the best investors in the world. Fortunately, investing mistakes can provide valuable lessons over time, providing investors an opportunity to gain insights into investing—and build more resilient portfolios.

The 20 Most Common Investing Mistakes, in One Chart 20 Investment Mistakes to Avoid →

Investing

What Is the Fear and Greed Index?

The Fear and Greed Index is a tool developed by CNN (yes, the news network) to help gauge what factors are driving the stock market at a given time.

Guide to the Fear and Greed Index →

Word of the week

Annuity

An annuity is a type of insurance contract in which the insured (you) and the insurer (insurance firm) agree that the insurer will pay you either on a regular basis or one-time disbursements to you as a payout for your contributions. Usually, people utilize an annuity as a retirement income source.

Use our free retirement calculator to see how an annuity make get you closer to your goals →

Serious stuff

Should I still be investing in this uncertain stock market? Uncertainty is a normal – even necessary – part of investing, but it becomes a problem when people spend so much time worrying that they miss out on market returns.

Four tips for nervous investors from Benjamin Felix →

Word of the week

Financial Exposure

Investor risk, which is defined as the possible loss an investor may incur by investing, is referred to as financial exposure. Investors use strategies like investment hedging and diversification to try to reduce their financial exposure.

Take your first steps into the investment world without risking losing any money →

Investing

ScotiaFunds: 5 timeless tips on managing market ups and downs

1. Keep calm and carry on 2. Stay invested…it’s time, not timing 3. Manage risk, don't avoid it 4. Put diversification to work 5. Take advantage of dollar-cost averaging

Learn more from their easy to read resource →

Word of the week

Diversification

A fundamental investing strategy that distributes investment funds among multiple asset classes is diversification.

What Is Diversification? Definition as Investing Strategy →

Investing

How to Invest in Bonds

Bonds are a way for an organization to raise money. Let's say your town asks you for a certain investment of money. In exchange, your town promises to pay you back that investment, plus interest, over a specified period of time.

A Beginner's Guide to Buying Bonds →

Infographic of the week

Warren Buffett's Portfolio Visualized

Warren Buffet is probably best known for being one of the world’s most successful investors. See what Berkshire Hathaway are holding and learn from the legendary value investor known as the 'Oracle of Omaha'.

Warren Buffett's Portfolio Visualized How They Make Money: Why the Oracle of Omaha tends to bet on the status quo →

Investing

How to Invest Like Warren Buffett

Want to emulate Buffett’s investment strategy? Morningstar has compiled work on the approach he and partner Charlie Munger have pursued at Berkshire Hathaway. (Stock symbols BRK.A and BRK.B)

Delve into Warren Buffett’s investment strategy →

Word of the week

Asset Allocation

Asset allocation is where you choose to put your money. The three primary asset classes are stocks, bonds, and cash. Choose those that best match your goals, risk tolerance, and time schedule.

Neontra aggregates and tracks all your assets in one place so you can monitor your allocation easily →

Infographic of the week

Ranked: The 20 Best Franchises in the U.S.

The U.S. is famous for chain restaurants, franchised shops, and brand name hotels. One thing these franchises aim for is consistency in store feel, customer service, product offerings, and prices, no matter which state you’re in.

Ranked: The 20 Best Franchises in the U.S. Best franchises in the U.S. worth owning, from Dunkin’ Donuts to ... →

Infographic of the week

How Long Does it Take to Double Your Money?

At first glance, a 7% return on your investment may not seem that impressive. Yet what if you heard that your money could double in roughly 10 years?

How Long Does it Take to Double Your Money? Why it Pays to Know the Math →

Infographic of the week

Just 7 Companies Dominate the Nasdaq 100

Launched in 1985, the Nasdaq 100 index tracks the performance of the largest, and most actively-traded, non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Just 7 Companies Dominate the Nasdaq 100 Companies in the Nasdaq 100, by Weight →

Infographic of the week

Timing the Market: Why It’s So Hard, in One Chart

Timing the market seems simple enough: buy when prices are low and sell when they’re high.

Timing the Market: Why It’s So Hard, in One Chart The Pitfalls of Timing the Market →

Did you know?

The first War Savings Certificates and Victory Bonds were issued in Canada during the First and Second World Wars. They went towards paying for the war effort.

Browse through the gallery and view the timeline to learn about the History of Canada Savings Bonds. →

Word of the week

Interest

Typically, interest is paid on deposits to savings accounts. Your savings will increase as a result of the interest you earn on money you save, particularly if you have a higher-interest savings account. Simple interest - is paid on some investments and does not take into account the interest that has been added to the account; rather, it calculates interest just on the original amount. These investments often have a slightly higher interest rate. Compound interest - is the interest on savings calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. Compound interest is the norm for savings accounts.

See an example of how simple and compound interest differ →

Infographic of the week

The World’s Biggest Mutual Fund and ETF Providers

The global net assets of mutual fund and ETF providers totalled $38 trillion in 2022. Despite its massive size, the industry is dominated by a relatively small number of brands.

The World’s Biggest Mutual Fund and ETF Providers This graphic uses data from Morningstar to show the largest fund brands and their growth rates in 2022 →

Word of the week

Bonds

Governments and businesses both issue bonds as a form of investment. In exchange for a predetermined rate of return, you lend money to these organizations when you purchase a bond. Although historically yielding less than stocks, bonds are thought to be a safer kind of investment.

How to Buy Bonds in Canada →

Investing

Motley Fool outlines Warren Buffett's investing philosophy in 9 steps

1. Look for a margin of safety 2. Focus on quality 3. Don't follow the crowd 4. Don't fear market crashes and corrections 5. Approach your investments with a long-term mindset 6. Don't be afraid to sell if the scenario changes 7. Learn the basics of value investing 8. Understand compounding 9. Research and reflect

How to Invest Like Warren Buffett →

Infographic of the week

Visualizing the Hierarchy of Financial Needs

Behavioural scientist Abraham Maslow wrote “A Theory of Human Motivation” in 1943, arguing that humans worldwide are influenced by a “hierarchy of needs”. This theory organizes human needs across five levels, where needs in the lower end must be satisfied before progressing onto the next level.

Visualizing the Hierarchy of Financial Needs See the steps to creating a strong financial foundation →

Investing

Financial advisors agree: These are the 3 best investing tips for beginners

CNBC Select shares three tips for any beginner investor just starting out. 1) Audit your finances before you even start to invest 2) Utilize retirement accounts as much as you can 3) Know you don’t have to be an expert

If you’re just getting into investing, read more →

Investing

3 common mistakes investors make — and how to avoid them

In our daily lives, we know it’s hard to break bad habits, like eating too much junk food. The same is true for investing. Just as understanding which foods are better for you, knowledge is power when it comes to your portfolio.

Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to investing →

Investing

Investing can seem intimidating

Fortune.com outlines how to get started: - Decide your investment goals - Select investment vehicle(s) - Calculate how much money you want to invest - Measure your risk tolerance - Consider what kind of investor you want to be - Build your portfolio - Monitor and rebalance your portfolio over time

A beginner’s guide to investing in the stock market →

Infographic of the week

The most profitable U.S. companies, by sector

See the S&P 500 companies with the highest profits in their sector. Data is based on the fiscal year ending on or before January 31, 2023 across companies in the Fortune 500.

The most profitable U.S. companies, by sector America’s most profitable companies, by sector →

Investing

Millennials: 4 Tips to Start Investing Today

1. Build your credit 2. Open a TFSA 3. Invest what you can 4. Set some goals

Here are some tips to get started from Motley Fool →

Infographic of the week

The Fastest Rising Asset Classes in 2023

Many corners of the market have shown resilience despite persistent inflation and slowing economic growth in 2023. U.S. equities, international equities, and a variety of bonds have seen positive returns so far this year.

The Fastest Rising Asset Classes in 2023 The top-performing asset classes to date with data from BlackRock →

Investing

Investing for Young Canadians

If you’re a young person thinking about making your first investment but not sure where to begin, you’re not alone.

RRSP, TFSA or FHSA? Young Canadians looking to invest face wide range of options →

Investing

9 easy steps to start investing in Canada:

1. Assess your risk tolerance 2. Choose Your Investing Style 3. Decide How Much You Can Invest 4. Pick the Right Kind of Stock Investments 5. Choose a broker 6. Open the right investment account 7. Diversify Your Stocks 8. Keep a Steady Eye on Your Portfolio 9. Invest Consistently for the Long-Term

How to Start Investing in Canada: 9 Steps to Success →

Word of the week

ETFs: Exchange-Traded Funds

An ETF is essentially a basket of investments such as stocks or bonds. In this sense they’re similar to mutual funds, but unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs can be traded throughout the day on an exchange, much like an individual stock.

Learn about the benefits of ETFs →

Infographic of the week

Just 20 Stocks Have Driven S&P 500 Returns So Far in 2023

Truman Du shows which stocks are making up the vast majority of S&P 500 returns amid AI market euphoria and broader market headwinds.

Just 20 Stocks Have Driven S&P 500 Returns So Far in 2023 Tech and AI stocks have soared as ChatGPT became a household name in 2023 →

Investing

ETF vs Index Fund: Which Should Canadians Invest In?

Learn the differences between ETFs and index funds and determine which fund is right for you.

ETF vs Index Fund →

Word of the week

Compound Interest

Compound interest is the interest on savings calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods.

Discover the magic of compounding and why it's important to increasing wealth →

Fun stuff

"If I had a million dollars Well, I'd buy you some art (a Picasso or a Garfunkel)"

Which artist is #1 on our Neontrack playlist this week?

Music About Money →

Listen to our Neontrack playlist when you have music and money on your mind.


Word of the week

GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate)

"Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) and term deposits are secured investments. This means that you get back the amount you invest at the end of your term. The key difference between a GIC and a term deposit is the length of the term. Term deposits generally have shorter terms than GICs."

Learn about the key details before buying a GIC →